BELTON, Texas -- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor used strong first half to hand Texas Lutheran a 89-74 non-conference defeat Wednesday night in Belton, Texas. 

The Bulldogs dropped to 3-4 with the loss. The Cru improved to 7-1 on the season.

Texas Lutheran's first four field goals all came from outside the arc as the Bulldogs grabbed an early 14-13 lead. UMHB answered with a 16-0 run featuring seven points from Brian Long to give the Cru a 29-14 lead.

The Cru took held a 50-37 lead at the half, shooting 59 percent from the field in the first half.

TLU pulled within six points at 78-72 with 2:53 remaining in the second half, but could close no further.

UMHB held the Bulldogs to 39 percent shooting in the second half. TLU hit 14-38 three-pointers in the game and shot 41 percent overall from the field.

Harris Jowell (Brock/Brock) had 20 points to pace the Bulldogs. He added a team-best nine rebounds and four assists. Alex Cage (Austin/McNeil) came off the bench to chip in 15 points and three steals. 

Sebastian Andrade (El Paso/Americas) added 12 points. 

The Cru out rebounded Texas Lutheran 38-29 and added 12 steals on the night to TLU's eight. 

Next, the Bulldogs open conference play with a 7:30 p.m. contest at home against Johnson & Wales (Colo.) on Friday, Dec. 14.